Who Should I Start? MarShawn Lloyd or Tyjae Spears

Monday, December 1, 6:06 PM

The Green Bay Packers are opening the 21-day practice window for running back MarShawn Lloyd (hamstring) this week, according to Tom Pelissero of NFL Network. It means that Lloyd can return from Injured Reserve at any time. The 24-year-old former third-round pick out of USC in 2024 hasn't played all year due to a hamstring injury that he suffered in the preseason in August. The Packers had high hopes for Lloyd in their backfield when they drafted the 5-foot-9, 220-pounder, but injuries have limited him to just one game since he entered the league. Lloyd worked on his body during the time off, but it remains to be seen when he'll make his 2025 debut. He will most likely be eased into Green Bay's backfield alongside Emanuel Wilson and Chris Brooks behind starter Josh Jacobs, but he could be a valuable, explosive change-of-pace weapon in the postseason if he's healthy.

Tuesday, December 2, 10:14 PM

In the lowest-scoring offense (14.2 points per game) in the league, Tennessee Titans running back Tyjae Spears has a low ceiling and low floor for fantasy managers, and he should only be rostered in point-per-reception leagues. In the Week 13 loss to the Jacksonville Jaguars on Sunday, Spears had two rushing attempts for a loss of one yard, but he salvaged his fantasy day by catching all six of his targets for 25 yards through the air. The 24-year-old's six catches were tied for the team lead, and his six targets were second on the team. Since returning from Injured Reserve due to a high-ankle sprain, Spears has a very modest 39 carries for 158 yards and one touchdown while adding 28 receptions for 173 yards on 30 targets in eight games. Fantasy managers cannot count on him to produce on the ground -- he's had more than five carries in a game only twice in eight games. Spears has had at least five targets in each of the last three games, though, which makes him a low-upside RB3/flex in deep PPR leagues going into a tough Week 14 matchup against the Cleveland Browns.